Sunday, October 05, 2014

In Defense of World War I

Now here is something one does not often see. Noted historian Max Hastings offers a defense of the necessity, and even the moral imperative of the First World War from the British perspective. While I remain unconvinced, I will concede that Hastings makes some cogent points. Had Britain stayed out and the Kaiser's army triumphed by the end of 1914 (a very real possibility), it is difficult to imagine Great Britain not falling under the shadow of a German dominated Europe. But of course, Hasting's arguments carry little weight in the debate over American intervention in the war.

3 comments:

it is difficult to imagine Great Britain not falling under the shadow of a German dominated Europe.

Britain and Europe killed off millions of their best and brightest, twice, to avoid German domination of the Continent. Now, of course, Britain and Europe are exhausted, and Germany dominates the Continent, complete with friendly relations with her old Central Power ally, Turkey.

The footage seems overdone with an implicit assumption that "British domination=good, German=bad", without any thought to provide support, other than "the Germans were gaining" or "they weren't just like us."

Not very convincing. That's not to say there isn't, of course, plenty of blame to go around, the Germans and Austrians included.

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